Cutoff driving mechanism



H. WLBRUKER ET AL CUT-OFF DRIVING MECHANISM April 13, 1943.

Filed A 'ril 22, -1942 8 6 i h m M IT QM Q m M. o m MN WM NN f mwwm ww omm mm a Q. m. w QW. I r IHIVI o .11 n: WM W1 9w 0 m .k n mm Q S NTORSPatented Apr. 13, 1943 CUTOFF DRIVING MECHANISM Hobart W. Bruker,Bordentown, and Francis W.

Overton, Trenton, N. J.

Application April 22, 1942, Serial No. 440,010

8 Claims.

Various cut-off driving mechanisms are known, of which the patents toSwift No. 2,059,412 dated November 3, 1936, Bruker N0. 2,243,673 datedJune '10, 1941, and Morrison No. 2,215,762 dated September 24, 1940, maybe mentioned as examples, wherein the adjustment of the cutting speed ofthe cutters to conform to the speed of travel of the material being cutfor different lengths of cut, is accomplished by adjustment of therelative positions of rotary members constituting parts of the drivingmechanism.

In machinery of the above character the moving parts are subjectedduring adjustment to stresses which vary widely in direction and amount,and one object of the present invention is to provide an adjustingmechanism which will afiord smooth, facile and accurate motion from oneposition to another while the machine is in operation or at rest, andwithout causing undue strain or wear upon the moving parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjusting mechanism ofthe above character which may be readily constructed to affordadjustment along a path of desired shape, whether straight line orarcuate or other special curvatrue.

be installed in and removed from the cut-off machine as a unit andwithout substantial disturbance of or tinkering with the adjacent partsof the machine with which they immediately cooperate.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obviousand in part specifically referred to in the description hereinaftercontained which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing,discloses a cut-off machine constructed to operate in accordance withthe invention. The disclosure, however, should be considered as merelyillustrative of the invention in its broader aspects. In the drawing--Fig. 1 is a vertical transverse section-taken through a cut-off machineconstructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the directionof the arrows.

The invention is disclosed as applied to a cutoff machine many parts ofwhich may be understood as being of any known or appropriateconstruction, and which accordingly will not be described in detail. Theillustrated machine is of well known rotary type, the knives l and 2being carried by upper and lower spindles 3 and 4 respectively, whichspindles are journaled in a main side frame 5 of the machine andinterconnected by gears 6 and I in known manner.

In order to conform the cutting speed of the machine to the length ofblank being cut, an eccentric crank mechanism is shown which isgenerally similar in type to that shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of the abovementioned Morrison patent, a rotatably mounted driving gear 8 beingpivotally connected by a stud 9 to a link 10 which link is in turnpivotally connected by a stud H to a bell crank lever [2 having fixedthereto a stud [3 which serves as the axis of rotation of the bell cranklever [2. This lever 12 as shown in Fig. 2 is constructed somewhat likea walking beam, having a stud M which pivotally connects it to a furtherlink l5, which link is in turn pivotally connected by a stud Is to arotary crank arm I! fixed to a rotaryspindle [8. This rotary spindle 18which may be considered as the rotary power output member of the cut-ofidriving mechanism, is connected to the spindle 4, preferably in themanner hereinafter described.

To drive the gear 8, a rotary spindle I9 is provided which carries apinion 20 meshing with the gear 8. This spindle [9 may be considered asthe rotary power input member of the cut-off driving mechanism, and isin turn driven by a spindle 2| rotated in timed relation to the outputof a variable speed transmission (not shown).

The setting of the variable speed transmission determines the length ofthe cut blanks.

When the central axis of stud 13 which constitutes the axis of rotationof lever I2, isalined with the axis of rotation of gear 8, uniformrotary motion is transmitted through the driving mechanism throughoutthe cycle of rotation, the power coming from the power input member I9through pinion 20 and gear 8, link [0 to bell crank lever I2, thenthrough link I5 to the rotary crank l1 and rotary power output member l8of the driving mechanism which delivers the uniform rotary motion to thecut-ofi mechanism. In this position the cutting speed of the cut-off, i.e. speed of travel of the cutters in the direction of movement of thematerial being cut, at the time of cut, will be the same as theperipheral speed of travel or" the knives in all phases of rotation, butif the stud 13 be displaced from the above alined position, therotaryspeed of the output spindle l8 will be proportionately faster or slowerat the time of cut, depending upon the eccentric position to which thestud I3 is moved. Thus by properly positioning the stud 13 according to,

the length of blank to be cut, the cutting speed may be regulated toconform to the speed of,

tion in its broader aspects, as being merely typical of suitable drivingmechanism capable of rogu lating the cutting speed by adjustment of theThe above driving mechanism should relative positions of the movingparts of such mechanism. a

In one of its aspects the invention has special reference to themechanism employed to adjust the distances between the centers ofrotation of rotary driving and driven members as above referred to, tothereby regulate the cutting speed. As shown in Fig. 2 the lever 12 andits stud [3, are rotatably mounted in an adjusting member 22 which hasrocking engagement with what we term a fulcrum member 23, shown in theform, of a rack, in such manner that as the adjusting member 22 isrocked in either direction, it rolls along the surface of the member ISwith successive points along such surface acting as fulcrum points forthe movement of the adjusting member. V

In the illustrated form of the invention the adjusting member 22 isshown as provided with a sector gear E l having teeth meshing with theteeth of rack it If the sector gear 24 be arcuate in configuration andrack 23 be linear, the construction will cause the axis of stud II tomove in a straight line as member 22 is rocked in one direction or theother, just as the axle of a vehicle wheel moves parallel to the groundas the wheel rolls over the ground. The path of movement of the axis ofstud l l as the adjusting member 22 is rolled along the surface'offulcrum member 23 as above described, accordingly will depend upon theconfigurations given to the engaging surfaces of members 22 and 23. Ifthe members. 22 and 23 be both in. the form of arcuate sector gears thepath of. adjustment of stud is will be arcuate in form, or other desiredpaths of movement may be secured by imparting appropriate cam-likeconfigurations to such engaging surfaces. For instance adjustment of.the stud. l3in an. arcuate path. or in a straight line path willordinarily angularly advance or retard to some. extent the point ofoperation of the cut-off knives with respect to the angular position. oflever l2. In other words regulation of the, cutting, speed may cause thecutting operation to take place earlier or later in the cycle. Theengaging surfaces of the members 22 and 23 above described may bereadily soshaped that indifferent adjustments of member 22 there willbeno angular retardation or advancement of the cut-off knives, so that thecut-off operation takes places in all adjustments at or near what may betermed the peak of the irregular motion needed to conform the cuttingspeed to the speed of travel of the material being out. In thisway theirregular motion imparted to the parts of the driving mechanism will befully utilized in regulating the cutting speed, so that only the minimumirregularity of motion will be needed for the various lengths of cut towhich the machine may be set.

The adjusting member 22 is moved to different positions and held inadjusted positions by suitable devices such as a worm on a rotaryspindleagainst movement sideways of the machine, the

gear teeth above described holding the adjusting member 22 effectivelyin adjusted position against other undesired movements.

The rolling movement of adjusting member 22 along the surface of member23 as a fulcrum as above described, affords smooth and facilepositioning of the stud l3 throughout the operating range of the machinewhile the machine is in operation or at rest, and without producingundue strain or wear upon the operating parts. The machine may readilybe adjusted to proper lengths of cut ranging up to six or eight timesthe minimum length of cut, and operating only on one side so to speak ofthe uniform speed position so that the rotary speed is uniform when themachine is set for minimum length.

The spindle 25 will usually be rotated indefinite relation tomechanismlnot illustrated) for setting the machine to out differentlengths,

the connections being such that the adjusting member 22 is automaticallyreset to make the necessary correction in cutting speed whenever themachine is reset for a different length of out. Since mechanismssuitable for the above purpose are known in the art the same will not bedescribed in detail herein.

In accordance with'anot-herphase of the invention the cutting speedadjusting mechanism and immediate associated parts are so constructedthat they may be readily installed in and removed from operatingpositionas a unit, for purposes of assembly, replacement or repair. As shown thedifferential crank mechanism as a whole is carried by a supportingmember 29 detachably clamped to the auxiliary side frame Ed by bolts 3%This supporting member 29 is interposed between the auxiliary side frame5a and the gear 8 previously mentioned, and is provided with bearings29a and'ZQb respectively for the hub 80!. of gear 8- a-nd the powerinput spindle l9, these bearings being received within an opening 3| inside frames 5a. As shown the members 2228 above described are mountedupon an outboard circular flange 32- on an annular bracket member 33which is in turn bolted to the supporting member'29by bolts 34. Thefulcrum member .23 is held in stationary position by an angle piece 35held against flange 32 by bolts 36,

and the spindle 26 is journaled in suitable bearings 3'! (Fig. 2)attached to'fiange 32. The moving parts above described are preferablyhoused within an enclosing shell 33 which is fastened to the annularbracket 33 by screws 39.

Quickly detachable connections such as the flange coupling; 40 shown inFig. 1 connect the driving shaft 2+ to the power input shaft l9, and asimilar flange coupling 4| may be used to detachably connect the poweroutput shaft l8 of the cut-off driving mechanism to the shaft 4 whichtransmits the rotary motion to the cutters. A similar detachablecoupling 42 as indicated in Fig. 2 may be used to-detaohably connect thespindle 2 6 to its associated actuating member (not illustrated) andthus by loosening the couplings 43, ll and t2 and bolts 30, the cut-offdriving mechanism may be detached from operative position as a unit bymovement endwise of shafts 4 and 2!, all of the operating parts of thedriving mechanism being ultimately carried by and movable withtheir'main supporting member 29. In case of failures ordefects in any ofthe parts of the cut-off driving and adjusting mechanism, this mechanismas a whole accordingly may be removed and a substitute installedwith'aminimum of intervening shut-down time, and without the disassemblyand-substitution of individual parts on the job, such as has heretoforealways been necessary in machinery of the above character in so far aswe are aware.

While the invention has been disclosed as carried out by a machine ofthe specific construction above described, it should be understood thatmany changes may be made therein without departing from the invention inits broader aspects, within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A cut-off driving mechanism having a cutting speed adjustmentincluding a fulcrum member, an adjusting member movably engagingtherewith, the engaging surfaces of said members having successivecomplementary raised and depressed portions affording rolling movementof said adjusting member along the surface of said fulcrum member withsuccessive points along said last mentioned surface acting successivelyas fulcrum points for the movement of said adjusting member, means formoving said adjusting member to different positions along the surface ofsaid fulcrum member, said mechanism having a driving member controlledas to position by said adjusting member thereby to regulate the cuttingspeed of said mechanism according to the position of said adjustingmember.

2. A cut-off driving mechanism having a cutting speed adjustmentincluding a stationary fulcrum member, an adjusting member movablyengaging therewith, the engaging surfaces of said members having aseries of meshing gear teeth affording rolling movement of saidadjusting member along the surface of said fulcrum member withsuccessive points along said last mentioned surface acting successivelyas fulcrum points for the movement of said adjusting member, means formoving said adjusting member to different positions along the surface ofsaid fulcrum member, and a rotary cut-off driving member journaled insaid adjusting member, said driving mechanism including means wherebythe cutting speed thereof is varied by changes in position of saidrotary driving member.

3. A cut-off driving mechanism including rotary driving and driven crankmembers having motion transmitting connections constructed and arrangedto afford transverse movementof the axis of rotation of one of saidcrank members thereby to vary the relative rotary speeds of said crankmembers within the cycle of rotation, a stationary fulcrum member, anadjusting member movably engaging therewith, the engaging surfaces ofsaid members having a series of meshing gear teeth affording rollingmovement of said adjusting member along the surface of said fulcrummember, means for moving said adjusting member to different positionsalong the surface of said fulcrum member, one of the aforesaid crankmembers being journaled in said adjusting member, thereby to affordregulation of the cutting speed of said mechanism by movement of saidadjusting member to different positions.

4. A cut-off machine having a side frame running longitudinally thereof,rotary power input and output members disposed adjacent said side frame,an eccentric crank mechanism connected to transmit power between saidpower input and output members and having rotary input and outputmembers which are respectively detachably engaged with the firstmentioned rotary input and output members, and means including a housingenclosing said crank mechanism and detachably clamped in operativeposition with respect to said side frame, whereby the component parts ofsaid eccentric crank mechanism may be installed in and removed fromoperative position as a-unit.

5. A cut-off machine having a rotary power transmitting member disposedat one side of the machine, an eccentric crank mechanism disposedendwise of the aforesaid rotary member and having a rotary power outputmember detachably engaging therewith, a supporting member interposedbetween said mechanism and said first mentioned rotary member, saidsupporting member carrying said eccentric crank mechanism and alsocarrying a housing surrounding said mechanism, said supporting memberbeing detachably secured in operative position to afford removal thereofand of the enclosed eccentric crank mechanism as a unit.

6. A cut-off machine having a main supporting frame-work, rotary powerinput and output members mounted therein, a differential crank mechanismconnected to transmit power between said power input and output membersand having rotary input and output members which are respectivelydetachably engaged with the first mentioned rotary input and outputmembers, said crank mechanism including parts relatively adjustable toregulate the cutting speed of the machine, a supporting member carryingsaid crank mechanism, said. supporting member being detachably securedin operative position i with respect to the aforesaid main frame-workwhereby said supporting member and said crank mechanism may be installedin and removed from said operative position as a unit.

7. A cut-off machine having spaced main and auxiliary side frames,rotary power input and output members supported in said main frame,motion regulating driving mechanism for said machine having rotary inputand output members which are respectively detachably connected with thefirst mentioned rotary input and output members, a supporting member forsaid mechanism which is detachably connected to said auxiliary sideframe, whereby said motion regulating driving mechanism may be installedin and removed from operative position as a unit.

8. A cut-off machine having a main supporting frame-work, rotary powerinput and output members mounted therein, a motion regulating drivingmechanism connected to transmit power between said power input andoutput members and having rotary input and output members which arerespectively detachably engaged with the first mentioned rotary inputand output members, said motion regulating driving mechanism includingparts relatively adjustable to regulate the cutting speed of themachine, a supporting member carrying said motion regulating drivingmechanism, said supporting member being detachably secured in operativeposition with respect to the aforesaid main framework whereby saidsupporting member and said motion regulating driving mechanism may beinstalled in and removed from said operative position as a unit.

HOBART W. BRUKER. FRANCIS 'W. OVERTON.

I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent no. 2,516,221. April 1;, 191g.

HOBART W. BRUKER, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1,first column, line 5, for "No. 2,215,675" read --No. 2,2hJ ,675--; andthat the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction thereinthat the same may conform to the record of the case in the PatentOffice.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of May, A. D. 19115. I

Henry Van Arsdale, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

